With the pressure of delivering Brazil a World Cup triumph on Neymar‘s shoulders, the Paris Saint-Germain star set about his task with typical swagger against a dogged Switzerland side in La Selecao’s tournament opener.
Despite his best efforts, however, Brazil were held to a draw as Neymar endured a frustrating night in Rostov-on-Don.
Here’s an in-depth look at his performance.
KEY STATS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 4
Shots on target – 2
Key passes – 4
Passing accuracy – 86%
Dribbles – 5
Touches – 79
30-SECOND REPORT
Neymar is used to being the focus of attention for opposition defence, but on Sunday it was a different level. Switzerland fouled him almost every time he was on the ball, doing their best to make sure he couldn’t charge at their defence.
Despite that, he did his best to have an impact, showcasing his trademark skill and producing deliveries from wide positions and set-pieces. He nearly got on the scoresheet with a late header, which would have stolen headlines.
GOT RIGHT
Neymar’s movement was deadly – no more so than for Brazil’s goal, where the threat he posed just by being on the ball near the Switzerland box drew four defenders towards him. That allowed Coutinho all the space in the world to let fly with a thunderous shot.
His distribution from set-pieces was typically deadly, creating plenty of chances for his team-mates. More clinical finishing from the rest of the Brazil team would have seen the talk centre on a star performance from Neymar.
GOT WRONG
In the few chances Switzerland allowed him to have, when he was able to escape their rather physical attentions, Neymar failed to deliver at the level he’s capable of. There was a late header that he should have scored, or at least drawn a tougher save.
In all honesty, however, the Swiss strategy of fouling him whenever he got on the ball took its toll. It’s hard to blame Neymar for any shortcomings in this match.
KEY MOMENTS
20th minute, Coutinho GOAL: Neymar pulled four defenders to himself while on the ball, freeing up the space for Philippe Coutinho to unleash a fierce long-range shot.
88th minute, SHOT: The Brazil talisman burst into the box to get on the end of a well-placed cross, but his header was straight at the keeper.
VERDICT
By now, Neymar must be used to the physicality of opposition defences, and Switzerland gave him a tough examination, with their persistent fouling limiting his impact.
Neymar will be the first to admit he’s capable of better displays than this, but it says a lot about his quality that a 6/10 performance is nearly a match-winning one. He came close to scoring, and better finishing from his team-mates would have seen him rack up at least a couple of assists.
RATING – 6/10
Neymar was fouled 10 times in this match vs Switzerland, most for any player in a World Cup match since Alan Shearer was fouled 11 times against Tunisia on June 15, 1998.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 17, 2018
It also is the most fouls suffered for a Brazilian player in a World Cup match since 1966. pic.twitter.com/AZSI1a3gbF
